Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[GeneralStark]

Some are using Sta Rite submersibles, or Goulds submersibles, but the really good units (like MES) use Goulds deep-well pumps. Mine is a 3ph and I use a VFD to control the pump motor.

I can say with nearly 100% certainty that the photo WMF posted is of a releaser in a heated space. The ice comes down the lines when they first start to thaw. If you leave your vac. pump on 24/7 you likely see this. If you let your lines thaw before turning on vac., you probably don't. Either way it can be a problem with an electric releaser with an internal pump, hence the screen in the manifold.

The screen is doing it's job (keeping the ice out of the releaser chamber where it can keep the float switch up) and the ice will melt quickly and things will resume as normal. I typically don't get enough ice to be an issue so I haven't been using a screen personally.

[MJPJ Sugars]

Question about the weather next week -- is "too warm" the same result as "too cold?" If we actually do get 3-5 days of 40-degree plus without freezing temps at night, what is the impact on the sap run? Thanks!!


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[GeneralStark]

Question about the weather next week -- is "too warm" the same result as "too cold?" If we actually do get 3-5 days of 40-degree plus without freezing temps at night, what is the impact on the sap run? Thanks!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With buckets the sap will slowly stop running without a freeze, but it could keep going for a couple days. I have been pretty surprised on a few occasions with buckets.

The bigger challenge with warm weather is keeping the sap from fermenting so the best bet is to process as quickly as possible.

[MJPJ Sugars]

With buckets the sap will slowly stop running without a freeze, but it could keep going for a couple days. I have been pretty surprised on a few occasions with buckets.

The bigger challenge with warm weather is keeping the sap from fermenting so the best bet is to process as quickly as possible.

Thanks!!!! -- JQ

[billyinvt]

Looks like a good solid freeze through Sunday night. That might be what saves us since we have little to no snow for insulation. If the roots stay good and cold maybe they'll resist the urge to bud next week.

[DrTimPerkins]

If the roots stay good and cold maybe they'll resist the urge to bud next week.

Unless the forecast is seriously wrong (if they are predicting temperatures far lower than we actually get), I can pretty well assure you that the trees (maples at least) will NOT break bud next week. Although the forecast is for air temps in the 50s (at least here in North-central VT), it is supposed to be cloudy and rain...which will help to keep things cooler. Maple trees will resist the urge to bud next week because they've been around a good long time and are far better adapted to the climate than we give them credit for.

[WestfordSugarworks]

We've got a new MES releaser that we are pretty happy with. Stainless screen with small holes in the top barrel traps ice and most plastic and wood shavings. Some gets down to the bottom barrel but the pumps don't seem to pump them through. We are mostly happy with the releaser but there are a couple of small leaks in it right now, not sure if its our doing or MES's. Hard to tell if the leak is coming from the plumbing job or the releaser itself.

[GeneralStark]

I'm not investing too much in the forecasts at this point. They have been having a hard time with the models due to several factors and anything beyond a few days is low probability. I do think warmer than average is likely as has been the pattern this winter.

I do predict a pretty serious sap run early next week as that has been the case here so far this season. The trees are ready with plenty of water in the ground.

While I too doubt the trees will bud very quickly, I do plan to be able to process sap quickly next week.

[GeneralStark]

We've got a new MES releaser that we are pretty happy with. Stainless screen with small holes in the top barrel traps ice and most plastic and wood shavings. Some gets down to the bottom barrel but the pumps don't seem to pump them through. We are mostly happy with the releaser but there are a couple of small leaks in it right now, not sure if its our doing or MES's. Hard to tell if the leak is coming from the plumbing job or the releaser itself.

I have had some issues with the fitting the wires for the pump go through into the releaser. It leaked last season so I took it all apart this winter and got it back together tight. I do have a leaky check valve on the pump out line and that will cause some weird symptoms especially if it is not consistent. If you can, get it up to vac. and then turn everything off so you can really listen for leaks. If it is at the releaser you will hear it, if it is check valve, you will see bubbles coming back pump out line.

[DoubleBrookMaple]

Unless the forecast is seriously wrong (if they are predicting temperatures far lower than we actually get), I can pretty well assure you that the trees (maples at least) will NOT break bud next week. Although the forecast is for air temps in the 50s (at least here in North-central VT), it is supposed to be cloudy and rain...which will help to keep things cooler. Maple trees will resist the urge to bud next week because they've been around a good long time and are far better adapted to the climate than we give them credit for.

Good to hear the positive aspects, as my PWS average February temperature of 24.7 degrees was very close to my 2012 February average of 27.2. Compare that with the record February last year of 11 degrees... I do expect an early end this year with the above normal temps, but we also had an early start. I had my first run late January, and boiled Feb 1st, so I have had a good start, half my sap volume of last year already.
There is indication we will have a cooling trend after this coming run, and lowering nighttime temps the following weekend or therafter.